Dog Bites

Best Attorney in Town! I would highly recommend Robert Massella and his law firm to anyone! Divorce is a very difficult time but Mr. Massella guided me through the whole process with such expertise, as welI as being understanding to what I was feeling. His knowledge of the legal system helped me to make reasonable and good decisions during the whole process. He always had my best interests in mind and worked to make sure that it turned out that way. I have had attorneys in the past that would take forever to return phone calls or answer messages but Mr. Massella and his staff were always very quick to respond to my calls or emails. He and his staff are very personable and I would not hesitate to call them if I ever needed legal advice again! Outstanding attorney in my opinion!!!

Columbia Dog Bite Lawyer

Is a dog's owner legally liable for an attack in Columbia?

Many states across the country apply the centuries-old "One Bite Rule," which holds that a dog or other animal can bite one person before being held legally liable to the victim, on the grounds that unless the dog has a known history of vicious or aggressive behavior the owner cannot be considered negligent in preventing the attack. Fortunately for you, South Carolina does not follow this custom-if a dog has attacked you or your child in Columbia, you are entitled to recover monetary damages by filing a personal injury claim.

Under the South Carolina Code of Laws §47-3-110, the victim of a dog bite which occurs in a public place has a right to claim financial compensation, as well as if the attack takes place on private property, provided that the victim is not trespassing. It is also necessary to prove that you did not in any way provoke the attack, as this would make you ineligible to recover damages. Under certain circumstances, it might additionally be possible to file a premises liability claim against the landlord, if it can be proven that the property owner knew that the dog was prone to attack but failed to take precautions including evicting the dog's owner.

Fighting for Your After a Dog Bite in Columbia

By choosing a Columbia personal injury lawyer at Masella Law Firm, P.A. to represent your case, you will be giving yourself the support and advocacy of a former prosecutor and judge and a team with a proven track record of success. We take pride in defending the rights of those who have been wrongfully injured, and are ready to fight for your right to compensation for medical expenses, lost income and damages for pain, suffering and disfigurement. This may be a highly stressful and challenging experience for you and your family, but it is not one which you have to face on your own.